How not to be her chew toy ...
but... I don't know how to control her biting behavior. She has plenty of chew toys, bones, raw hides, greenies, etc. She is a spoiled dog..  She doesn't seem to bother any furniture or anything like that ... but she always feels the need to chew on me or Jim. I've asked the vet and he suggested that anytime she goes to bit you or nip you, first ignore her because its more devestating to them if you stop playing with them and if they continue the behavior that you hold her tongue down to the bottom her mouth.
Neither of this really works. I think it makes her want to bite more. I know that a portion of this is puppy play behavior, but Jim is starting to get really annoyed and frusterated with me. Does anyone have any ideas? |
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| tell her no and put something acceptable in her mouth....you may have to do this over and over.....but it will click eventually |
| I've used this tactic on all my dogs when they were puppies and it works. When they bite, even if it's accidental (they always seems to have their mouths open!), say "OUCH" quickly and sharply and turn away for a while. Also "NO BITE" works, and seems to stick with them as they grow up and sometimes forget what they're doing while playing. |
| We're living with PacMan Junior right now, too. He is almost 10 weeks old with the face of an angel but a serious taste for flesh! He could care less if you scream, yell "ouch", tell him "no" or anything. If you ignore him, he'll pick another part to bite. The best luck we're having is to keep toys nearby and as soon as he bites, tell him no, pop a toy in his mouth, let him get a bite in on the toy and praise him. Progress is slow but it's normal behavior. All you can do is be consistent and vigilant. |
| It's not just OES puppy, Maggie the TT is non stop biting. Trainer suggested "pressed rawhide" and to get it BIG....little 10 lb. Maggie tore thru a big one in a day and I took it up for fear she was eating too much of it. Nylabones, the orignal...in a week two big ones were being eaten down too much...the harder nylabone she doesn't touch and doesn't like it??? What can I give her she doesn't chew to pieces or eat quickly? I rolled a newspaper and when she bites me or husband I slap it into my hand by her nose...she quits right away...I don't touch her with it. The newspaper works to this day with Rosie...it distracts her from her focus and she listens yet, I have never hit her with it. I guess anything with a sound would work to distract them long enough to hear no! Would love to find something she likes chewing that doesn't get digested or torn apart easily. Vet said it would be like this until 6 mths when she gets adult teeth. Someone said a tennis ball in a sock...I don't want to teach her to chew up socks? |
We have about 5 Kongs and various Kong balls which seem to make him happy. Must feel like my arm when he sinks his teeth in.  |
| I hate to tell you all, but mine is 7 months and she is still a crazy biter. She bites a whole lot less than when she was younger, but I too thought she would stop when she got her adult teeth. She bites when she wants to go out, when she wants to play, when she wants water...it's just how she communicates. I tried every trick in the book and nothing works. She just loves to bite! The only time she was ever an angel was when I had a visitor over and she played with my guest's dog the whole time and bit her ears, tail, etc. the whole time.
I think with my dog, age is just going to take over and she will stop. She has tons of chew toys and I have really done everything, the screaming no, ignoring, giving a chew toy instead and saying "good girl." Nothing deters her, I call her "Jaws." I have scratches up and down my arms and bruises on my legs. She also loves to come after me right after she goes poop? Why, I have no idea! I'm sure people think I am being abused. I share your pain. |
| Ella, I think our dogs are twins! The way you described your pup sounds like you're talking about Luna. Luna is far less orally motivated when there is company, but when the leave she throws manners out the window and has bite our ankles, feet, arms, hands, whatever she can get her mouth on.
I do have quite a few toys and I have tried the "yelping" noise when she bites, but it doesn't seem to phase her. I will take Darcy's advice trying to put more acceptable things in her mouth other than my skin. I have done this, but I don't think I've done it enough, so maybe if I just stick with this she'll learn a little better. But it's comforting to know that I'm not the only one who has a Crocodile in a dog suit  [/quote] |
| How old is Luna Now? Could be teething. They sink the fangs in Harder then and it is a trying time, I have battle scars with my two thank goodness that stage is over and the new teeth are not so Puncturing as those sharp pin baby teeth
Just try and re-direct it from your body to something else and I find if they are Hyped up and excited the play bites hurt. If she is like that then pop her away with something to chew on till she calms down then bring her out after she is settled. Gotta luv those fangs 
The joys of Puppers Keep up the Ouch or Squeal when she sinks the teeth in so she knows it Hurts, then give her a bone, chew toy,kong something along those lines and as soon as she takes it start praising her. Litters do that with each other and they associate that squeal or a loud Ouch with being too rough. 
Stay away from those greenies too, there not good and can cause problems if gulped whole, same with rawhide chews. Nothing beats a raw bone or Hard dog bikkie or Kong filled with Yummies to sink those teeth into |
| I did what everyone else has mentioned. It worked, just keep at it. |
| I like:
1) the shrill sound (generally that would be me, screaming "ouch"); and, 2) ceasing cooperation and turning your back on the dog. But as we all know, that takes a great deal of time to become effective. The other issue I find is that in households with multiple people in the house, those training methods can be carried out inconsistently by various household members. So, once you get the two legged members to agree that biting/hand play and games are over, you have a better chance of retraining. Because as long as there is hand play some times, by some family members, it just confuses the chewer and lengthens the training process. But be vigilant. There is one thing I will do with a rascal biter pup (terriers especially seem prone to biting games well beyond their teething stage.) Once I know the pup knows better, but prefers the game over following the rules, every time s/he puts my hand in their mouth, they get an ever so slightly push into their mouth. Not far enough to cause any gagging response, but enough to get their attention. That followed by a sharp "NO!" usually cures up any "biting for fun" games with reasonably mature pups. Please understand that this is the method of last resort and should not be taught to anyone who you feel might go slightly overboard. This is also not a method I would ever do around children or anyone else I felt did not have the best interest of my pup at heart. I am not a fan of punitive reinforcement techniques - but if the biting is a problem (drawing blood, causing bruising, hurting) it really must be corrected. Good luck. |
Ok I can't take it anymore  Holly mouthes constently ...when I pat her ...when I play with her.... when I am walking it is CONSTENT!! HELP! Yesterday it drove me crazy.... I love to just snuggle with her but she can't seem to do this without grabbing my hand in her mouth... I also used to think it was b/c she was a puppy but she is now 7mo old and she still does it. I tell her NO and she stops but I don't wanna keep telling her NO I want to be able to pat her without her being MISS PACMAN.....
Frustrated in Freeport  |
| Chauncey was like this until about 18 mos. I too tried all of the above. He was always very oral. It improved with maturation.
Now that he has turned into a wonderful dog ( yes there is hope ) he will still mouth my hand when grooming or when we cuddle he loves to chew/lick my right index knuckle. It never hurts and seems to be a comfort measure for him. We both enjoy the quiet snuggle time. |
| My trainer told me that when a puppy bites to make a fist with your hand while it is the puppies mouth. Hold it there very gently but so the pup cannot remove it. Only for a few seconds This causes a gag reaction (a bit like when you go to the dentist) which the puppy does not like.
Do Not use any pressure or force when doing this as the idea is not to frighten or hurt the pup just discourage it from nipping. I did this with George and although it still early as their (baby) sharks teeth still dig in. I only did it twice and he never bit again. |
| Success with something to chew that she won't eat too much of...nylabone she was eating too much of it; pressed rawhide Large...eating too much too fast...today bought a big hickory smoked bone and both dogs are ever so happy...bone doesn't splinter and is good for them and most of all it's very hard and they like to chew on it. The nylabones that were really hard would be good but neither dog wants them. Hopefully this will work to at least give her something to chew when she is trying to chew everything in sight. Rosie is enjoying this puppy thing...she gets treats everytime she goes outside, she gets special bones, lots of attention to let her know she's loved...wow...I think she's even happier than the puppy! |
| i"ve had dogs get the runs from that hickory coating - just be prepared:) |
| Maybe it will offset the constipation the pressed rawhide caused? |
| Casey is 1 year and 3 months now and we've had him almost 3 months.He occasionally gets very bitey. We think it's because the previous owner encouraged play fighting and so Casey didn't really learn any bite inhibition.
Is he too old for us to make the yelping noise like we are in pain when he bites? Is this something purely for small puppies? I'm kind of worried it would give him the impression he is the boss of us, an impression which we work daily to undermine. Any thoughts on when you should start using a different approach? |
KatGracie wrote: I'm kind of worried it would give him the impression he is the boss of us, an impression which we work daily to undermine.
I was worried about that too- I didn't want our girl, Bailey, to think she had the upperhand if she was able to "hurt me" so easily by biting. I didn't want her to think she could overrun us by biting- I yelped at her biting- it stopped her a couple of times, then she started to ignore it! She doesn't really bite at me that much anymore, because I hold her back with one hand (by holding her collar), and put a straight hand in front of her face and say a firm "NO BITE" which stops her. (I also put my hand out straight in front of her when saying the commands "SIT" and "STAY" and they work well for us) I don't really know what to do now, though, it seems like she's taken her need for biting at me, and putting it onto my fiance.. now she bites at him all the time- she's getting really obnoxious! And barking at him.... I think she's trying to rough-house with him (as her tail-stump is always wagging), but he think's she's being aggressive.... It's tough- all I can say is that I am THRILLED that our obedience classes start in two days!!!!! I hope they straighten out her behavior!!!! 
Good luck to everyone with the biting! |
avicayia wrote: Ella, I think our dogs are twins! The way you described your pup sounds like you're talking about Luna. Luna is far less orally motivated when there is company, but when the leave she throws manners out the window and has bite our ankles, feet, arms, hands, whatever she can get her mouth on. [/quote]
I do have quite a few toys and I have tried the "yelping" noise when she bites, but it doesn't seem to phase her. I will take Darcy's advice trying to put more acceptable things in her mouth other than my skin. I have done this, but I don't think I've done it enough, so maybe if I just stick with this she'll learn a little better. But it's comforting to know that I'm not the only one who has a Crocodile in a dog suit I am so glad to read this thread. My Jenny is 4 months old and she is the same way. I have tried yelping, ouching and also putting rawhide, etc. into her mouth. I love your analogy of the crocodile in a dog suit. Jenny also has toys, kongs, large rawhide bones, etc., but always seems to like to take a little puppy nip. Same thing with Jenny as far as the biting for drink of water, while she is sitting looking up at the faucet and when she wants to go out or any old time she feels like it. So glad to know that I am not alone. |
| There are simple, positive methods to use with "aggressive" puppies. First, think about the pups as being high energy and distractible, rather than mean and aggressive. If you have a truly mean dog (that was abused or has real problems) then you need a professional trainer. I've been training for 8 years and only run into two dogs like that... and told the owners that I couldn't help. But puppies just need a little communication and socialization. I strongly recommend everything by Ian Dunbar and by Turid Rugaas. It is very possible to teach a puppy to rough house AND to have a soft mouth. But in summary:
1. Walk young dogs for 30 minutes twice a day, because an exercised dog is a good dog. Some high energy dogs need to be run for an hour... before they even get going... This will reduce chewing... 2. At the appropriate time before 12 weeks, socialize puppies with many different people and many friendly dogs... to give them some confidence with all strangers. 3. Teach the puppy to sit on cue - both verbal and hand signal. 4. If the pup appears ready to jump, tell it to sit. If the pup is pulling, tell it to sit. And so on. Praise extensively when the pup sits. 5. If the pup succeeds in jumping turn to the side. That is a calming signal that says, "please don't jump on me". 6. When the pup nips - probably in play - then yelp ! Try to make the high pitched sound that is similar to when you have stepped on his feet. When you yelp, he will startle... praise him for stopping. He will then nip you again, but just a hair more gently.... yelp again -- Praise. Most people get frustrated at this point, because the pup doesn't stop. 7. If he bites a third time, then yelp, and turn your back for 15 seconds. Praise him if he tries to lick you, or if he does a play bow... or if he yaps at you. He is trying to "apologize" for playing too roughly. And you have to accept his apology, while trying to communicate that you are more sensitive than his littermates, who could take a nip or two. 8. The first time you do this, he may not understand... so if he bites you a 4th time (it should be gentler), then yelp, and leave the area for two minutes. Try to leave him in an area with no entertainment, so that you achieve a brief timeout. But you must leave, don't put him into another area.... 9. If you are consistent about this process, you'll see significant progress in about three days (puppies learn over the course of about 6 hours, so they may need to sleep on it, before they learn a lesson). And, in a week, nipping should be at a minimum. When they forget, keep up the lesson. And, everyone has to understand the process. 10. You'll have to reinforce the lessons during teething (around 5 months), after the pup is fixed, and around 10 months. I used this method on my 80 pound dog, and he plays very roughly, growling and snarling. But he is careful that teeth don't touch skin. And, when he plays with smaller dogs, he doesn't bite them, but more slimes them... a lot. - Hank Simon |
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